“Praise is due to you, O God…
O you who hear prayer,
to you shall all flesh come.
When iniquities prevail against me,
you atone for our transgressions.
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
the holiness of your temple!
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves,
the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
You visit the earth and water it;
you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
you provide their grain,
for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
the valleys deck themselves with grain,
they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65
Yes, praise is due the God who blesses His people. He appoints seasons and the turning of years to give man time to reflect, to remember, to sing, to rejoice. The greatest gift being forgiveness of sins, souls are liberated to take delight in the wide mercies and majestic workings of God. His hand weaves color and freedom and goodness into moments and hours, enriching life as it goes along, heightening awareness of His continual presence, supply, and graces.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:1-5,8
Looking back over this year, how has the Lord crowned my year with His bounty? In what situations have I experienced the Spirit’s inspiration, or press of conviction with accompanying release upon repentance? Where can I trace my Savior’s guiding hand, or imparted wisdom? Where have I seen Him active in hard circumstances, providing hope, stilling restlessness, soothing hurt, filling needs? In what places of aloneness, confusion, doubt, or longing has the Lord visited me with His abundance and fresh water? (2 Samuel 12:13; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9)
For what new things will I bless the Lord today? What prayers am I certain He has heard? What new understanding have I gleaned from His word, or life experience? How have I grown in the fruit of the Spirit? What soul satisfaction and transformation of character has communion with Him through my hours brought? Praise is due Him! (Isaiah 43:19; Galatians 5:22-23)
Acknowledging this year’s bounty anticipates the next. God’s love continues for all generations.
Worthy Lord, establish in my days a rhythm of awareness, gratitude, and praise.
As the rain and snow 